By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
No. 23 Naomi Osaka knocks off No. 3 Coco Gauff in Round 4 of the 2025 US Open (6-3, 6-2).
Osaka was dominant and focused in this match. Gauff looked frustrated and entirely out of her element. Gauff kept attacking her weaknesses, and now she’s moving on to the next round to face off against Iga Swiatek. It’s Osaka’s first Major Quarterfinal since the 2021 Australian Open.
There’s a lot of mutual respect between the two players. Osaka took the time to show her respect and appreciation for Gauff and what she brings to the game of Tennis.
“I was in the stands two months after I gave birth to my daughter, watching Coco,” Osaka said after the match. “I just really wanted an opportunity to come out here and play. This is my favorite court in the world, and it means so much to me to be back here.”
It’s always great to see Osaka and Gauff compete against one another. Both ladies have known each other since their mid-teen years. Gauff and Osaka always bring out the best in each other.
“I look up to her a lot,” Osaka said. “I like the way she conducts herself. It’s extraordinary. I feel like being such an amazing role model at such a young age is a gift and a talent that she has, and I have all the respect in the world for her.”
Osaka credits her team for always being by her side and always championing her. Whenever she felt like she wasn’t her usual self, her team was there to lift her spirits and keep her sharp and focused.
Osaka is undefeated (4-0) in winning every Major every time she reaches the Quarterfinals. Can she make it 5-0? She’ll need to take down other top players, such as Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Aryna Sabalenka, to achieve this milestone. Anything is possible. Osaka has a lot of confidence and momentum carrying into the Quarterfinals.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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